Seventy years ago in the Black Sea, a sea catastrophe was the most migrating in the history of our country. On November 7, 1941, the Crimean coast of Hitler's aviation sent a sanitary ship "Armenia" to the bottom of the Sanitary ship, on which from the deposited Sevastopol was evacuated to the Caucasus wounded, doctors and residents of the city. How many people were on board - no one knows exactly. But according to experts - from 5 to 7 thousand people. 2-3 times more than in the sadly famous "Titanic"! Alive remains only units.

The official Soviet historiography has done everything to conceal the details of a terrible tragedy. Ends in water are hidden so that undertaken in last years Attempts, even with the help of American batisys and hydroacoustic equipment, find one of the largest underwater fraternal graves in the world in the world. It is not yet possible to detect the custody of the huge "Armenia" yet.

What, in fact, is known from official sources? Under the evening on November 6, the 41st sanitary transport was last left Sevastopol. On board - wounded, medical staff and evacuated. Arrived in Yalta to take passengers and there. The total number of people who were on the deck, in the cabins, corridors and the Trem of "Armenia", according to official data, reached 5,500 people. Everything that happened further is similar to the recklessness of the transport commander.

It is not known why in the morning almost without covering with full domination in the air of Hitler's aircraft overflowing the motor ship was out of Yalta and in the overall of one data alone, and in other two guard boats headed towards the Caucasus. At 11 o'clock 25 minutes on the traverse of Gurzuf, a tiny convoy attacked the German torpedo room "Heinkel-111". I dropped two torpedoes, one of which fell into the nasal part of the ship. Just four minutes later - at 11 o'clock 29 minutes - the ship's sweat went to the bottom. Save it by one data, 8, on others - 82 people.

And that's all that is contained in the memoirs of the Soviet Admirals on this. Even in 1983 by the Ministry of Defense on the basis of the archives of the Main Staff of the USSR of the USSR "The Martial Chronicles of the Soviet Navy in 1941-1942" About the largest sea tragedy of that war - not a word. Such blatant concise requires explanation. I had to refer to the archives.

The ship "Armenia" referred to the firstborn of the Soviet passenger shipbuilding - the so-called "Crimea", the construction of which began in 1926. They were named so they were because they were intended for the transport of people between the ports of the Crimea and the Caucasus. Two-pipe boats turned out to be successful. Calculated were almost a thousand passengers. With a length of 110 meters and displacement in 5770 tons, the speed had quite decent - 14.5 nodes. In case of misfortune, there were 16 rescue boats for 48 seats each. Is it surprising that with the beginning of the Great Patriotic Word "Crimekov" were the first to transfer the Black Sea Fleet for evacuation of the wounded?

"Armenia" and her fellow "Georgia", "Ukraine", "Ajaria" and "Crimea" in the floating hospitals turned the workers of the Odessa ship repair plant. Under the bombs of German aviation in a hurry broke the partitions of first-class cabin to expand the operating and 4 dressings on 11 tables each. It was believed that the board would have to take a maximum of 400 wounded. August 10, the 41st "Armenia" prepared for war.

It was more difficult with the crew. Experienced captain Vladimir Playashevsky changed to the fleet nipper and became called the commander of the sanitary transport. The chief physician of the plating hospital was the militaryormality of 2 rank Peter DmitrievskyMobilized from the Odessa railway hospital. At the top deck and the side were huge red crosses, testifies to the exclusive medical destination of the vessel. But since about compliance with the Hitlermen of civilized rules for conducting war of illusions and then no one fell, on the ship, which painted in a protective color, installed anti-aircraft machine guns. Only learn how to beat them from the air targets to civilian sailors was once. The enemy had already stood at the walls of Odessa, the wounded in her hospitals and the medical studies were flowed by the flow. Therefore, the crew of Armenia was necessary, not a bag, proceed to their evacuation in the Caucasian ports.

Before his death sanitary transport managed to take out of Odessa and Sevastopol on Large land 15 thousand people. His last hike began in Tuapse in the early morning of November 4, 1941. Having taken on board the Marshev replenishment for the garrison of Sevastopol, "Armenia" in the security of the destroyer "Consoomy" went to the city, the siege of which was just beginning. Moored to the coal pier. And suddenly, Playashevsky received an order: in return path with the wounded take on board all without exception medical facilities fleet. What exactly - allow you to clarify the memories of the participant in the defense of Sevastopol colonel Medical AI Vlasov. Here they are: "Head of the Department of the main base on November 5 received orders ... Hospitals and Lazarols to minimize. About 300 wounded, medical and household staff of the Sevastopol naval hospital (the largest on the fleet), headed by the head physician, the militaryormarity of 1 rank S.M. Kagan. Here were the heads of departments (with medical staff), x-ray ... There were also the 2nd naval and Nikolaev basic hospitals, a sanitary warehouse No. 280, a sanitary and epidemiological laboratory, the 5th health squad, a hospital from the Yalta Sanatorium. Partitioned part of the medical staff of the seaside and 51st armies, as well as evacuated residents of Sevastopol».

You just imagine: the enemy at the gate, from October 29, Sevastopol declared on a siege position, the battles go to one and a half dozen kilometers, and from the city in the rear send all the hospitals and almost all medical staff! This, I suppose, can be only one explanation - the command of the Black Sea Fleet in those days did not expect that the main base of the ChF will last at least a few days. I suppose this conclusion that is not knitted with the official version of the heroic defense, all postwar years politicians and censors from history tried to bury under archival griffs "Top Secret." So hid materials about the death of Armenia.

I must say - for the pessimism of the Black Sea admirals of the facts was enough. 11th german army colonel-General Manstein In a matter of a few weeks, our liquid and ineptly built defense at a narrow perspiration rate and at the end of October, avalanche burst into the steppe Crimea. Involved Moscow did not solve that Sevastopol should defend. In the city itself, the garrison consisted of only two regiments of the marines and the local rifle regiment. October 30-31, on the face of Novorossiysk, the 8th Brigade Brigade was hurriedly by ships. But with it, the number of defendants was only about 20 thousand people. How they do not lie - from Manstein can not be chopped off.

Sevastopol saved, in essence, case and colonical talent commander of the Primorsk Army of General Ivan Petrov. After the Perekop defeat, his army in the Crimean steppes was thrown on the arbitrary of fate. There was no connection with either Moscow, nor with the commander of Crimea by Admiral Proud Levchenko, with his headquarters, who left Alushta. There were no connected aircraft. There was even an order where to retreat - to Kerch or to Sevastopol? In the small Tatar village, Ekibash, the commanders of the abandoned seaside army gathered at the Military Council. AND in their understanding, we decided that you should save Sevastopol. This largely allowed the city afterwards to become a hero. But it was still necessary to get to him.

Eyewitnesses say that their columns in the forced march on parallel roads were dust against gitlerovskiy. Ours did not have time. The Germans managed to cut the road to Bakhchisarai. The seaside army had to turn on a circular, long, but the only free path to the main base of the ChF - in the mountains Southern Shore Crimea. And the main question was such: who will come to Sevastopol first? Primorye or Manstein? Manstein was much closer, and his aircraft in the air did what she wanted.

Here in such noble conditions commander Fleet Admiral Philip Oktyabrsky Delivered to decide what to do with the city? There is, in any case, not one evidence that contrary official version He did not prepare for a long defense. Moreover, in early November, when the first vololates, the fleet commander found it necessary to urgently go to the Caucasus to check the Caucasus, to check the locations of the squadron transcaded. As if he had not seen these seats before.

In Sevastopol, the commander returned to the 10th. And before that, exactly on November 7, a categorical directive of the bet came from Moscow, after which the Oktyabrsky became clear that if he won't save Sevastopol, he would not save himself. Below is its full text.

The directive of the rate of VGK No. 004433 Commander of the Forces of Crimea, the Black Sea Fleet on the measures to strengthen the defense of the Crimea

With the goal of making the enemy's forces in the Crimea and inadmissioning it in the Caucasus through Taman Peninsula The bid of the Supreme Commander orders:

2. Sevastopol does not pass in any way and defend it with all their might.

3. Every three old cruisers and the old destroyers keep in Sevastopol. From this composition to form a maneuverable detachment for action at the Feodosian bay for the support of troops, occupying ak-monaist position.

4. Distribution of the Azov flotilla support the troops of ak-monaist position from the north.

5. Linkors, new cruisers Base in Novorossiysk, using for an operation against the shore, occupied by the enemy, and strengthen the detachment of old ships. The basing of the destroyers at your discretion.

6. The time for from the left-left areas to use to strengthen the air defense of Novorossiysk.

7. Organize and ensure transportation to Sevastopol and Kerch troops leaving for Yalta, Alushta and Sudak.

8. Sweepers, attack aircraft and part of the ICBR aircraft to leave in Sevastopol and Kerch, the rest of the aircraft from the SM airfields for night strikes on airfields, bases and troops of the enemy in the Crimea.

9. Evacuate from Sevastopol and Kerch to the Caucasus all valuable, but not necessary for defense.

10.The order of the defense of Sevastopol shall be entrusted with the commander of the ChF t. October with submission to you. Deputy Commander of ChF to have in Tuapse of Nashtaflot.

11.Is are in Kerch.

12.The direct defense leadership Kerch Peninsula Appoint Lieutenant Batov General.

I. Stalin B. Shaposhnikov N. Kuznetsov

What remained Oktyabrsky? It is urgent to return from the relatively safe Caucasus to the deposited Sevastopol. And Admiral Oktyabrsky hurried to lead the battle for his main base.

But the short absence of the fleet commander in the city at the most critical minutes gave rise to an increasing panic. Is it wondering that the entire medical staff of the fleet was decided to urgently ship on "Armenia"? And a lot of whom, even the artists of the city theater named after Lunacharsky. Despite the progress on narrow traps, the parking lot of Armenia in Sevastopol was reduced by two hours: from Yalta, they were told that a large group of party and Soviet workers of the Crimea expects a large group of the wounded and refugees of Evacuation. It was necessary to go beyond them.

Why exactly the crew of "Armenia" ordered this reckless thing? If it were not for a rock stop, with its decent speed for civilian vessel, transport could well be safely reached by Tuapse: the German aircraft did not fly in the dark. Those who waited for salvation on Yalta piernes, it was quite possible to take out to begin with Sevastopol, to which only a couple of hours of stroke. Ships and plaques for this in the main base remained in excess. In the end, at that very night, when Armenia lost the precious clock, mooring in Yalta, the loading of the 7th Brigade of Marines on the destroyer "Boyky" and "impeccable" was completely safely safely passed. Ships took on board about 1,800 fighters and commanders, part of the military equipment and at 3 o'clock 40 minutes left Yalta. At dawn, they were departed in Sevastopol. However, the case, apparently, is that the evacuation in Sevastopol then a little of the rented influential leaders was rescued. If you tear claws from the Nazis, then only in the Caucasus!

The death ship "Armenia" went to meet the death of Armenia at 17 pm. Almost immediately came order of the fleet headquarters: make another stop on the Balaklava raid And take some cargo from the shore. Who is that - in a short radio not reported. I stroop the course of Balaklava, Playashevsky immediately understood why. A boam with the NKVD workers approached the board of transport. With them dragged on the deck wooden boxes. According to some researchers, these were the valuable exhibits of the Museums of the Crimea.

Whatever it was, a few more precious hours were lost. As a result in Yalta, transport came only at 2 o'clock on November 7. What was waiting for him at the pier? This is remembered by one of those who really wanted to get to the deck "Armenia", but never managed to do this. As it turned out, - to his happiness. Otherwise we would not read this testimony. Word - E.S. Nikulina: "On the evening, we have not known anything about the ship" Armenia ". At night, two hours, we were woken and told almost ranked in the middle of the street in the port. In the port stood a huge ship. The whole pier and they are filled with people. We joined this crowd. Planting on the ship went slowly; For two hours, I moved to the pier. Dava incredible! Loading went around two hours and to seven in the morning. Across the mole stood the fighters of the NKVD with rifles and missed women with children. Sometimes they broke out through the cordon of a man. The weather was rainy, often rained. The city began to burn the flagrance warehouse, and huge black smoke clubs with wind rushed to the city».

Did not get to "Armenia" and family Pure faithwhich at that time was 9 years old. She remembers: "Dad bought tickets, and my grandmother and I had to leave Yalta on the ship" Armenia ". On the night of November 6, it was full of people. Initially, they were driving wounded, then let civilian. Nobody checked tickets, and the crusher began on the trape. Bold climbed to the vessel on the guitans. In beette from the side they discarded the suitcases, things. For dawn loading finished. But we didn't get on "Armenia". Hundreds of people stayed on the mall. My grandmother and I went to the Father's workshop on the embankment. There I fell asleep».

Subsequently, in his diaries, Admiral Oktyabrsky recorded that the Armenian commander broke his order to wait in the night of the night on November 8 to secure the ship from the air strike. But the experienced captain Playashevsky was not a suicide. He and without the commander knew perfectly than threatens his morning campaign. However, Panic reigned in Yalta, the authorities were not, the intelligence of the Nazis unordedly rolled to the city from Alushta, occupied on November 4.

In addition, to carry out the order of the commander of the Black Sea Fleet meant a whole day to breathe in the port, which has never been an air defense. Night aviation would no longer prevent bombing a huge stationary goal straight at the pier.

In short, Playashevsky decided not to wait until Armenia drown right in Yalta. And gave mooring at 8 am on November 7.

No intelligence in the port of Germans did not have time to establish, and "Heinkeli" was obviously not for "Armenia". The Germans probably knew that the ships of the Chernomoretsev hurriedly with the south coast of the Crimea in Sevastopol the troops of the retreating seaside army. And in the morning, on November 7, they were hunted, probably behind them. And then almost defenseless "Armenia" turned up ... At 11:55 minutes, the motor ship was attacked by a single German torpedo-111 torpedo-111, belonging to the 1st squadron of the I / KG28 aircorder. The plane came from the side of the coast and with a distance of 600 meters dropped two torpedoes. One went past, and the second fell into the nasal part of the ship. After 4 minutes, Armenia went to the bottom.

It happened exactly in the 24th anniversary of the October Revolution. In Moscow, a historic military parade has just ended on Red Square. Only omitted words Stalin:"German invaders strain the last strength. There is no doubt that Germany cannot withstand a long time. A few more months, for another six months, maybe a year - and Hitler Germany must burst under the severity of his crimes. "

Then many preferred to forget this mournful episode of the victorious war. So it was more convenient. Amazing, but in Soviet years, no one tried to discover the ship lying at the bottom. The first attempts were made by independent Ukraine. In 2006, the work at the request of Kiev was connected Institute of Oceanography and Oceanology of the United States under the leadership of Robert Ballard. That Billard himself, which found the killed in the oceans "Titanic", Bismar battleship and Yorktown aircraft carrier. The expedition by Americans at $ 2.5 million passed over the estimated point of the death of Soviet transport 27 times! They found at a 300-meter depth even the 20-centimeter length of the sleeve from artillery shells. But no traces of Armenia did not see.

In 2009, the Ukrainian underwater robot "Sofokl" was attracted to search work. Just 270 meters from the "Sophokl" point indicated on the map, an ancient sailing 30-meter ship has discovered. But not "Armenia"! However, after all, not a needle in a haystack of a hay of 110-meter sanitary transport? Even if you imagine that those who believe that "Armenia" delayed the thick layer of il, at least some magnetic perturbations such a mass should be given?

What is the matter? In my opinion, a reasonable explanation is one - not looking there. The place of the tragedy on the maps is accurate. Why not consider another version? Vladimir Playshevsky was too experienced captain, so as not to understand what the swimming threatens to him throughout the light day along the shores of the Crimea occupied by the Nazis. The most reasonable thing that he could do is turn to Sevastopol, under the cover of anti-aircraft artillery and fighters of the main database of the fleet.

Of course, without coordination with the headquarters of the fleet, it was, of course, impossible. But who today will argue that there was no such agreement? And that there are no traces of such negotiations in archival documents - so there is no way, for example, and traces of orders to Fauzhevsky follow in Balaklava. It is not known even who gave this fatal order.

In addition, we now know, with what thoroughness other leaders "cleaned" our archives from the compromising personally of their truth. If everything that concerned the last flight "Armenia", it was decided that all postwar years were thoroughly hiding, b - why not destroy and some materials of the Black Sea Fleet headquarters?

If so - then after leaving the Yalta port of Armenia, it was supposed to go the course not in the Caucasus. The course was inverse! It turns out that it is not necessary to look for her at all at Gurzuf, but somewhere on the traverse of Cape Sarych. It seems that there is its own logic.

Symbol large disaster The death of a passenger liner "Titanic" was the death of the passenger liner, which in April 1912 she claimed about 1,500 people.

In fact, "Titanic" is not even in the thirty nautical catastrophe from the greatest number Victims. The most terrible tragedies of this kind come for the period of World War II, when transports with thousands of people, not only military personnel, but also women, old people and children.

On November 7, 1941, the Soviet ship "Armenia" died in the Black Sea, on board which there were several thousand people. The tragedy of "Armenia" and at this time remains one of the "white spots" the Great Patriotic WarSince many questions in this story have not received the answers.

In the mid-1920s, when the country moved a little from shock Civil WarThe government conceived about the development of civil shipbuilding. In 1927, at the Baltic Plant in Leningrad, the construction of the Adjara ship, the head ship of the first Soviet passenger liners was completed. In 1928, work was completed on the same Baltic plant over five ships of this project: "Crimea", "Georgia", "Abkhazia", \u200b\u200b"Ukraine" and "Armenia".

Armenia was a ship of 107.7 meters long, 15.5 meters wide, with a height of 7.84 meters and a displacement of 5770 tons. Served the ship crew from 96 people. The ship could simultaneously take on board up to 950 passengers.

"Armenia", like other project ships, was intended for transportation between the ports of the Crimea and the Caucasus. With its task, ships coped perfectly, having a very decent speed of 14.5 knots for their dimensions.

Floating hospital

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War "Armenia" "called on" military service. At the Odessa ship repair plant, it was urgently converted to a floating hospital, designed for transportation and emergency assistance to 400 wounded.

On August 10, 1941, Armenia began to fulfill his new responsibilities. The captain of the vessel was Vladimir Playshevsky, The chief physician of the floating hospital was prescribed by the warrorist 2 rank Peter Dmitrievsky. The head physician was also recently a civil and worked in one of the hospitals Odessa.

The setting at the front folded depressing. Five days before Armenia officially became a sanitary vessel, the enemy came close to Odessa. The ship had to do evacuation from the besieged city not only wounded, but also civil refugees. Then "Armenia" began to export the wounded from Sevastopol. By the beginning of October, the ship transported about 15 thousand people to the larger land.

By the end of October 1941, a catastrophic situation was developed in Crimea. The eleventh Army of Manstein, the estimated Soviet lines of defense, occupied one city after another. The threat of falling Sevastopol for several days was more than real.

Under these conditions, on November 4, 1941, Armenia came out of the port of Tuapse in the direction of Sevastopol. On board it was replenished for the garrison of the main database of the fleet. To Sevastopol "Armenia" reached safely. November 5 captain Playashevsky Receives prescription: take on board not only wounded, but also the personnel of all hospitals and medical institutions of the Black Sea Fleet, as well as part of the medical staff of the Primorsk army.

Thousands of refugees and secret cargo

Taking into account the fact that at that moment the battles for Sevastopol only unfolded, the order looked somewhat strange. Who will save the life of the wounded?

Historians who studied this issue believes that the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet Admiral Philip Oktyabrsky considered the fate of the city of the preceded and decided to start evacuation.

But on November 7, 1941, Oktyabrsky received a stake directive, which said: "Sevastopol not to pass in any way and defend it with all the forces."

However, until November 7, there were no orders from Moscow, because Armenia took on board evacuated doctors and not only them. The actors of the local theater named after the Lunacharsky, the leadership and staff of Pioneerlage "Artek" and many others rose on board.

There were no exact lists of those who climbed aboard Armenia. Captain Playashevsky received another order: after loading in Sevastopol, go to Yalta, where to take on board the refugees and the local party asset. Already after the departure from Sevastopol, an additional order came: go to Balaklava and pick up a special cargo. Box boxes were delivered accompanied by NKVD employees. Perhaps it was gold or values \u200b\u200bfrom the Museums of the Crimea.

"The bold closed to the vessel on the guitans"

Here the ship was waiting for crowds of refugees. That's what I remembered Vera ChistovaWhich in 1941 was 9 years old: "Dad bought tickets, and my grandmother and I had to leave Yalta on the ship" Armenia ". On the night of November 6, it was full of people. Initially, they were driving wounded, then let civilian. Nobody checked tickets, and the crusher began on the trape. Bold climbed to the vessel on the guitans. In beette from the side they discarded the suitcases, things. For dawn loading finished. But on "Armenia" we did not fall. Hundreds of people stayed on the mall. My grandmother and I went to the Father's workshop on the embankment. I fell asleep there. "

At that moment, the remaining on board "Armenia" seemed lucky. In fact, everything was exactly the opposite.

How many people by that time turned out to be in "Armenia"? According to the most modest estimates, about 3,000 people. The top plank is an indicator of 10,000 people. Most likely, truth somewhere in the middle, and on board it was from 5,500 to 7,000 people. And this is despite the fact that even in its "passenger" version of the ship was calculated only by 950 people.

In fact, Armenia could have been successfully evacuated and similar to the number of people if I went from Yalta in the dark time of the day. But the loading was completed at about 7 am.

The exit to the sea in the afternoon in fact was equivalent to suicide. Admiral Oktyabrsky Later he wrote that the captain of Armenia received a strict order to remain in the port until the evening, but broke it.

But the captain of Playashevsky, in fact, there was no choice. The port of Yalta, unlike Sevastopol, did not have a powerful air defense system, which means that the courts here became an excellent target for aviation. In addition, German motorized parts were already on the approach to the city and took it in just a few hours.

The ship sank in 4 minutes

Before talking about what happened further, it should be noted that historians have not yet been determined whether "Armenia" can be considered a legitimate military goal.

According to the laws of the war, the sanitary vessel carrying the corresponding identification signs does not apply to such. Some claim that "Armenia" was marked with a red cross, which means that the attack on the ship is another crime of the Nazis. Others object: the status of "Armenia" violated the presence on board the four 45-mm anti-aircraft guns. Third and most confident that the ship, which engaged not only by the carriage of the wounded and refugees, but also military cargo, did not have a sign of a sanitary vessel.

As a cover, "Armenia" was accompanied by two boats-guard, and in the sky there were two Soviet fighters and-153.

The circumstances of the fatal attack on the ship are also contradictory. For a long time it was believed that "Armenia" became a victim of attacks of several dozen bombers. This was told by one of the surviving passengers, a resident of Yalta Anastasia Popova: "Going to the sea, the ship was attacked by enemy aviation. Began the blood pressure. Explosions bombs, panic, cries of people - everything was mixed in indescribable nightmare. People rushed along the deck, not knowing where to hide from the fire. I jumped into the sea and floated to the shore, losing consciousness. As it turned out to be on the shore - I do not even remember. "

However, today it seems more reliable, the version that the aircraft was only one: the German ne-111 torpedo-111, belonged to the first squadron of the I / KG28 aircroup. It was not a targeted attack on "Armenia": Torpedon-makers searched for any of the transport Soviet courts on the Crimea - Caucasus line.

Going from the side of the coast, the non-111 dropped two torpedoes. One went past, and the second at 11 o'clock 25 minutes came into the nasal part of the ship.

"Armenia" sank in just four minutes. Save the last eight people from those who were on board. The grave for thousands has become the bottom of the Black Sea.

Chapel in Yalta dedicated to the died on the motor ship: Commons.wikimedia.org

Found failed

The riddles of "Armenia" are not injected on this. After 75 years after the tragedy, the exact place of the death of the vessel was never found.

The official report on the death of Armenia states: "At 115-25 m. (November 7, 1941) Tr" Armenia ", who went down in the guise of two guard boats from Yalta in Tuapse with wounded and passengers, was attacked by a torpedo-donor enemy by the opponent. One of the two dropped torpedoes hit the nasal part of the ship and at 11:00. 29 m. He sank in sh \u003d 44 gr. 15 min. 5c., D \u003d 34 gr.17 min. Eight people saved, about 5,000 people died. "

The intended place of the death of the ship was studied repeatedly. In 2006, Robert Ballard, found at the Atlantic "Titanic", was connected to the search. In Ukraine, they reported that "Armenia" is about to find, but this did not happen. Traces of the deceased vessel was not found.

There is an assumption that the real place of the death of "Armenia" is not where is indicated in the documents. According to this version, Captain Playashevsky sent a vessel not in Tuapse, but to Sevastopol, under the protection of the air defense of the fleet base, but on the way was attacked by a torpedo-stage.

This, however, only the assumption, like much more in the history of the death of Armenia.

It will be possible to reveal all secrets only when the latter ship will be found all the same.

Wreck, surpassed by the number of victims of Armenia, occurred at the end of the war. On the night of April 16, 1945, the Soviet submarine L-3 under the command Vladimir Konovalovatorpeted at the exit from Dankia Bay, the fascist transport "Goya". Of the more than 7,000 people who were on board, was less than 200.

"Armenia" is a passenger-cargo ship type "Adjara". It was built on the Baltic Ship Repair Plant in Leningrad in 1928.

IN last flight He went from the besieged by the Nazi troops of Sevastopol, had a huge number of wounded soldiers from the hospital, civilian population, the Artek camp leadership, part of the Crimea party leadership, the staff of the Chief Military Hospital of the Black Sea Fleet, as well as an important secret cargo.

November 7, 1941 was surrounded by a German torpedo-shop near the coast of Crimea.
Sound in 4 minutes. Of all those who were on board, 8 people survived, who had their own to the shore.

The number of victims amounted to different estimates from 5,000 to 7,000 people. It is possible that the number of victims can be about 10,000 people.
Places coordinates were, perhaps specially distorted. To date, the following are known: 44 ° 15'00 "p. sh. 34 ° 17'00 "in. d. / 44.25 ° С. sh. 34.283333 ° C. d.
The current location on the map, chosen according to the latest Expeditions of the 2005 expedition, (15 km from Yalta) and numerous mentions in a variety of sources - at the intersection of the Hurzuf traverse, and the sea route of Yalta - Tuapse, and, of course, is also very approximate.

In the journal Neptune XXI century No. 1-6 / 2008, a sensational statement was even sounded: "Armenia" was found by a unique search complex:

"In 1998, the Group of Russian and Ukrainian scientists has developed a special set of equipment sensing equipment and remote termination under the ground and under water of various objects and minerals to the depths of 5,000 meters.

South Yalta ... The search area was limited to a water area of \u200b\u200b100 square meters. km (10x10 km) ...

Works on the detection of corps of flooded ships in the area, the definition of their coordinates and identification of the Armenia vessel, were performed within two weeks. At the same time, new technologies for the integrated use of the results of special processing and deciphering a space photograph using highly sensitive equipment - the stationary geogolographic complex "Search" and active ultrahigh-frequency equipment agreed in automatic mode with the OP8-76 receiver. As a result, three flooded vessels of various sizes were found in the search area of \u200b\u200b100 km2, their size and coordinates were determined.

A vessel is identified with sizes close to the characteristic of the sizes of the Armenia vessel. The results of remote holographic identification prove that in this place at a depth of 520 m, the Armenia vessel is torpedoed into the nasal part. The ship lies at the bottom under the layer of 6-7 m of the bottom El, its center is at a distance of 250 meters from a previously suspected point of its death (the accuracy of detecting the coordinates of the center of the vessel is ± (6-10) M).

On its board (under the top deck in the superstructure area), signs of finding a significant amount of products from precious metals (silver, gold, platinum) were remotely found. A visual inspection with the help of the dwelling underwater apparatus in June 2005 confirmed the presence of a plateau in this area, which characterizes the appropriate sizes lying on the left side of the appropriate sizes listed.

The implementation of search engines by traditional technologies on large areas of the water area is currently difficult due to the inability to attract divers (too large depths), limited opportunities Hydroacoustic, ultrasound and television shows of the detection of metal objects under the large layer of soil and at great depth, as well as due to the high cost of underwater work.

The area is located in the Black Sea 15 km from Yalta. Depths as far as the shore removes - 350-1200 m. According to the available information of military archives, at the point of torping the depth ship is about 380 m, but every 100 m increases by 80-120 m. ... during the second exit in the sea Flooding was examined with the help of an autonomous dwelling underwater apparatus (PA) "Langust".

The guidance of the device to the exact place of flooding of the ship "Armenia" was carried out according to the calculations of the operators of the "Search" complex installed on the ship's vessel. PA crew when immersed to a depth of 500-520 meters visually discovered the canyon with a depth of 40 meters, on the right slope of the canyon (practically in the canyon itself) there is a smooth area of \u200b\u200babout 100 meters long with inclination of about 30 °, the depth of the site is 540 meters. When approaching the site, the clubs of the sludge rise from it, and from the slopes begin to crumble large volumes of or dust soil. Due to the danger of diverting, the bottom survey was discontinued.

The Sanitary ship "Armenia" was identified in the following parameters:
∞ The location of the shipped by the vessel to the south-east (coincidence with the general course of the vessel movement after exiting the port of Yalta);
∞ The coincidence of the length of the flooded vessel (about 100 meters), the fragment of the torn nose (about 10 meters) is located at a distance of about 40 meters from the vessel housing;
∞ Coincidence of the resonant information and energy spectra of samples of copper electrocabilities and cables with a flooded vessel, a flooded fragment of the torn nose part of the vessel and the same spectra on the photograph of the vessel;
∞ reliable fixation of resonant information and energy spectra of non-ferrous metal screws (2 screws);
∞ Clear fixation of the coincidence of resonant information and energy spectra from brass letters on the vessel's feed (in frequencies and by configuration of letters);
∞ Determining the characteristic sizes of a wooden superstructure of this vessel (only on the undercarriage to pipes) and the resonant information and energy spectra of the vests of the superstructure;
∞ Coincidence of characteristic protrusions on the deck of a flooded object with the placement of pipes on the top deck of the vessel and the coincidence of the resonant frequencies of the information and energy spectrum on their material;
∞ Coincidence of resonant spectra from vessel metal metal;
∞ Clear fixation of the characteristic resonance spectra from precious metals located in the following places: platinum and diamonds - under the upper deck in the area of \u200b\u200bthe central part of the vessel (where postal-baggage special premises are located); Gold and silver - in many premises of the superstructure where cabins are located increased comfort;
∞ Fixing a large number of human remains (bones) throughout the vessel according to the characteristic resonant information and energy spectrum (on two other sunken ships in the area there is no fixation of such a mass accumulation of human remains). "
www.blackseanews.net/read/28329.

However, the veil of secrecy around the sunken "Armenia" is still not dispelled.
Historians found that the case number 19, concerning this tragedy, was withdrawn from CVM and ... destroyed in 1949. By whom, why - questions for which there is still no answer.

This catastrophe is one of the largest marine catastrophes in history.

On September 12, 1941, the advanced parts of the 11th German army approached the silence, the northern border of the Crimea. From the moment from the peninsula, it became possible only by sea.

All land routes were quickly taken under the control of German troops. About a million people of the civilian population were trapped. German prepared forces opposed the scattered troops of the Red Army, who did not give a big chance to win.

By early November 1941, the flight by residents of the Crimean Peninsula took a massive character. With the approach of fascist troops in the cities began panic. For landing on any transport was a real struggle. The evacuation of the civilian population was produced through the only scheme from Sevastopol and Yalta in Tuapse in the Caucasus.

Motor ship « Armenia»Went in early November 1941 in the port of Sevastopol, as it is impossible to suit this goal.

Motor ship « Armenia"Was built on the Baltic ship repair plant in Leningrad in November 1928 and treated passenger ships « Abkhazia " Four sites of the same type of ship were built: " Abkhazia», « Georgia», « Crimea"And" Armenia»For the Black Sea Shipping Company. Motor ship « Armenia"Successfully made flights to the Caucasus, translated over 10,000 people per year.

the ship "Armenia" photo

construction of the ship "Armenia"

the ship "Abkhazia"

the ship "Georgia"

August 8, 1941 two-plane cargo-passenger ship For the period of hostilities was converted to. Passenger cabins have become medical chambers, and on board has special characters - a red cross.

On the morning of November 6, 1941, landing began on motor ship « Armenia" First vessel It was not moored for the pier, in order to avoid a crush and a possible assault, passengers were delivered on board in boats. Suddenly, an order was made from the headquarters of the Sevastopol defensive area about evacuation from the city of all medical personnel of the Black Sea Fleet. As a result, the best doctors of Crimea were on one vessel. To fulfill the order Captain Vladimir Yakovlevich Playashevsky had to motor ship « Armenia»Watch to the pier Ship bay and immediately poured huge crowds of the saving residents of the city. Everyone wanted to get to the ship. In a panic, passengers began to wade into the technical premises on the lowest decks. The motor ship with evacuated people was filled over the norm. People stood tightly pressed each other, but it was the only chance for salvation.

Frightened by frightened people at 17:00 on November 6, 1941, the ship "Armenia" was departed from a mooring wall and soon disappeared behind the horizon and disappeared not only from the species of those who defended, A and Soviet history.

We had a sense of despair that they did not use their chance. But this would be a reality if it took the course to the established Caucasian route.
From Sevastopol motor ship « Armenia"He took off the medical staff of the Black Sea Fleet, hundreds of severe fighters and thousands of civilians. The war on the sea has not yet begun, so the road was every minute. The Caucasus was free and nothing bothered to save people. But Captain Playashevsky received an order from the chief command of the Black Sea Fleet to go to Yalta and pick up a few more passengers.

At 02:00 on November 7 motor ship « Armenia"He arrived at the port of Yalta. During this transition, the medical vessel was delayed for 3 hours, waiting for transport on the raid Balaclava with some cargo for delivery on board. Immersing a few tightly sealed black boxes vessel " Armenia"Shot from the anchor and continued its flight. The accompanying agents of the NKVD remained on board in order to ensure the protection of cargo.

In Yalta on the crowded motor ship « Armenia"Even hundreds of frightened people plunged. Only at 08:00 on November 7, 1941, the medical vessel could come out and take a course on Tuapse, losing a priceless time. In the meantime, the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet Admiral Oktyabrsky gave an order not to leave the port to darkness, i.e. 19:00, but Captain Playashev violated him. Just 10 km from Yalta in Gurzuf, the Hitler's troops have already been scorn. The captain took the most important decision in his life, and he gave an order to save the doctors entrusted to him, but it was too late.

Taking a distance of about 25 miles from the Crimea Peninsula " Armenia"Was attacked by two heads of the German bomber type HE-111H, which ignored identification signs. At 11:29, a ship with 7,000 medical personnel and peaceful residents sunk in the Black Sea at a depth of 472 meters. In a terrible tragedy, only 8 passengers on the boat managed to escape.

This huge figure of those killed on the same ship seems incredible, but even more surprising is the fact that in our time no one knows about one of the most monstrous marine catastrophes in the history of the Second World War. After all, on board ship « Armenia»People died more than legendary liners" "and" ".

Information about this tragedy kept in the strictest secrecy. Recently, Ukrainian historians managed to detect these details. The cause of the death of the ship was the two unplanned stops that led to the loss of time. The command of the Black Sea Fleet gave an order, which made a number of mistakes, and after all, the doctors of the deceased ship could save thousands of life soldiers and officers who fought against Nazi Germany.

And only one person Vladimir Yakovlevich Playashevsky took responsibility for invalid mistakes of his leadership. Having broken the order, he took the last opportunity to save people, to prevent it was impossible.

On May 9, 2010, several veterans of the Great Patriotic War will lay wreaths in the area where the tragedy occurred.

Technical data of the passenger ship "Armenia":
Length - 112.1 m;
Width - 15.5 m;
The height of the side is 7.7 m;
Displacement - 5770 tons;
Power installation - two diesel engines with a capacity of 4000 liters. from.;
Speed \u200b\u200b- 14.5 knots;
The number of passengers is up to 980 people;
Crew - 96 people;

Yerevan, 7 Nov - Sputnik, David Galstyan. Exactly 77 years ago, one of the largest marine tragedies of the Second World War occurred - the Germans Skilled Soviet Sanitary Boat "Armenia".

Armenia was designed by the marine engineers of the Leningrad Central Bureau of Maritime Shipbuilding under the leadership of the chief designer Ya. Coperinsky and launched in November 1928. The motor ship entered the six of the best passenger ships of the Black Sea, consisting of "Abkhazia", \u200b\u200b"Adjara", "Ukraine", "Crimea", "Georgia" and, respectively, "Armenia".

The ship had a navigation range of 4600 miles, could carry 518 passengers in the cabins, as well as up to 1000 tons of cargo, while developing the maximum speed of 14.5 nodes (about 27 km / h). All these vessels began to serve the "express line" Odessa - Batumi - Odessa, regularly carry out thousands of passengers until 1941.

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the ship was redirected for military service. At the Odessa ship repair plant, it was converted to a floating hospital, designed for transportation and emergency assistance to 400 wounded. The grotty mast was raised a large white flag with the image of the International Red Cross.

By the end of October 1941, a catastrophic situation was developed in Crimea. Not only wounded, but also the civilian population was evacuated on the ship. The eleventh Army of Manstein, the estimated Soviet lines of defense, occupied one city after another. The threat of falling Sevastopol for several days was more than real.

The last flight Armenia went with a huge number of wounded soldiers, as well as civilians. On board, in addition, there was a party leadership of the Crimea, the staff of the Chief Military Hospital of the Black Sea Fleet, as well as an important secret cargo (accompanied by the staff of the NKVD).

Captain Playashevsky knew that only a dark night could ensure the secrecy of the navigation and would not allow the enemy's aviation to attack Armenia.

However, the ship entered the sea without at night, and during the day. It is not known, the captain accepted the decision himself, or he was given an order "top." Such an order promised death, and some historians tend to believe that the captain disinforced the intelligence agency of the German Abver. Other sources suggest that the pressure on it was provided by the NKVD staff.

In his notes, the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet Admiral Philip Oktyabrsky writes: "When it became known to me that the transport" Armenia "is going to leave Yalta in the afternoon, I myself personally handed the orders to the commander in no way go to 19.00, that is, to darkness. With us There was no possibility to ensure the cover of transport from the air and the sea. Communication worked reliably, the commander of the orders received and, despite this, came out of Yalta. At 11.00 it was attacked by torpedo aircraft and Skill. After hitting Torpeda "Armenia" was afloat for four minutes ".

According to official data, 5 thousand people died, and only eight was saved. Causes many questions that the documents on the tragic incident were destroyed in 1949.

According to some information, through German veterans, they tried to find the crew of the torpedo-header attacked by "Armenia" in order to clarify the details and coordinates of the death of the ship, as the German archives are famous for the great preservation of documents. The answer came unexpected: "Luftwaffe archive is exported to the USSR."

The tragedy of "Armenia" still remains one of the "white spots" of the Great Patriotic War, because many questions in this story have not received the answers.